A week or so ago I went to a party that was organized around singing the Pirates of Penzance in someone’s living room. It was a great party, and it reminded me of this excellent song, to the tune of the Major General’s big moment:
I grew up on Tom Lehrer records. Of course, the kids of today, or at least the ones with cool parents, are growing up on the songs of They Might Be Giants. So, here’s a new song about elements – which, I have to admit, is a lot more educational than the Tom Lehrer one.
Fun with science!
Update, 10/14/2010: A new version of the Tom Lehrer song, in Japanese pop style!
How did I not know you grew up on Tom Lehrer records? I didn’t, but I got exposed in college and love him.
Love Tom Lehrer! I haven’t listened to him in years, though, because when I say “records” I mean “records.” Did John Wilkes ever tell you about going to faculty parties with him?
As someone with their degree in chemistry, I can barely contain how much I like this post!!! I had heard the Tom Lehrer song, but never the TMBG song. Awesome!
Isn’t it great?? I love TMBG. There are a lot of great songs on their last album, Here Comes Science.
I have a sneaky suspicion I’ve heard the Tom Lehrer song before, but never the TMBG song. I feel like I’m smarter today now. Or at least now going to have “c’mon c’mon meet the elements” in my head during my slightly boring discussion class.
I keep getting “elephants are made of elements” in my head.
How about “The Vatican Rag”?
Nope, John never told us about that.
But a man said to be Tom Lehrer’s partner acted/sung in a show I did some backstage stuff on during college. We were always watching out for him at performances. If he attended, he went undetected.
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